Trust Ruins

Trust Ruins

~STELLA~

“If that's what he wants, then so be it.” I looked away from the mirror, avoiding my saggy eye bags.

“What exactly does he want?” Valerie’s palm pressed against her forehead.

“He wants what he'd always gotten from me. Submission.” I blinked, locking our eyes as she looked away from the wheel. “And he wants it now, even if it's going to get me dead.” I allowed silence to settle between us.

Last night, Rhys had left my place after someone called to inform him that Dylan’s case had been corrupted and he'd bribed his way out.

“They're doing this for the money he paid them.” Tears filled my eyes as I spoke. “But I'm really not going to turn back to him, Val. The moment we get back to that house, you're going to take the photos of him there while I pack up my remaining stuff.”

We should have done this yesterday, but she and Desmond had left in haste. If we didn't meet Dylan there, our plans would still go the same.

Dylan would suffer for everything he made me pass through, and when I meant ‘suffer’, I meant the kind of pain that'd make one's enemy pity them.

I walked into the house with Valerie, opening the door locks. As I paced to the bedroom, he was seated there—waiting for me. Instead of any form of remorse on his face, his lips were tucked into one corner of his mouth.

I played it cool like I was shocked to see him—as if Rhys hadn't told me he'd bribe his way out.

“Wifey.” I turned to the right, just around my closet, and Taylor leaned against the closet, his hands crossed against his chest like a high school bully.

“You're in no position to call me that,” I said to Taylor as I packed the necessary things I wanted.

I could've gotten new ones, but my plans needed to be accomplished. “You're not shocked to see me, are you?” Dylan's tired voice sounded from behind me.

“In your dreams. Why would I be so shocked when even your presence disgusts me so much?”

Taylor scoffed. “Yet you called many times so he'd come back. We both know you'll do it again.”

He was right, but I had reasons. “I called him because I was bored.” There was never ‘love’ between Dylan and me. All the times it hurt because he didn't come home, it was loneliness.

“Someone finally has the nerves to look into my eyes and say something.” Dylan’s interruption irritated my guts. “I bet you've grown so much within just a month…”

When I was done packing, I called Valerie in to assist me and that was where the plan went successfully.

Of course, I couldn't walk into the den of the people who'd tried to murder me without having backup.

We had Rhys and Desmond who promised to help us find justice. Desmond had promised to connect us with some of his clients, people who ran famous blog accounts and could make the truth loud…. Clearing every fake news my Father had put about me on the internet.

All we needed was evidence, and the moment we got it, we headed out of the house to meet with Desmond.

Valerie and I were meant to meet him in Wales. I drove there myself, following the address he’d sent to my phone.

“Is he coming?” I looked outside through the windscreen as if Desmond would just appear before us.

“No. His phone is switched off.” Panic shot through me as she answered.

“What if something went wrong?” I asked her when the call dropped on the same automated voice. I needed everything to go smoothly.

Every document, every piece of evidence, every detail had been checked and rechecked.

We were parked by the kerb of the address, waiting.

After three hours had passed, my phone buzzed with a text from Desmond: [Are you sure all the evidence is with you?]

[Yes. Let’s get the work done.] I replied almost immediately.

The sun was already sliding toward its set, and something just didn't feel right.

“We should go,” Valerie said finally. “This isn’t right.” She insisted on driving, so we switched seats. She reversed out, pulling onto the road.

We hadn’t driven five minutes when it happened. Three black vans appeared out of nowhere.

One cut us off from the front, another halted right behind us and a third blocked the road to our right.

We were completely boxed in. My breath stalled as I waited for what would happen next.

The van doors slid open and men in black masks stepped out. They had no faces or hesitation.

“Stella—” Valerie whispered. I tensed. Before we could lock the door, hands yanked my door open.

Someone's hand wrapped around mine, dragging me out before I could even scream.

“Hey! Don’t touch her!” Valerie shouted, scrambling out of her seat. Another man shoved her back hard. “Get in the car.”

I kicked and fought, scraping my nails against fabric, but it didn't matter because they were stronger.

A rough sack was forced over my head, and the world went dark instantly. My breathing turned wild, trapped inside the thick, suffocating cloth.

“Valerie!” I screamed. I heard her cry my name, but I could do nothing. Just nothing.

Then I heard another commanding her. “Drive.”

“No!” she sobbed. “Please—she’s my—don't hurt her.”

“Drive. Now.” He ordered her. The engine roared alive, my heart shattering at the sound.

Hands pushed me forward into one of the vans, and my knees squeaked as I fell onto the metal.

The door slammed shut and they made Valerie drive off.

Even blindfolded and shaking, I knew the exact moment we were torn apart.

The van lurched into motion beneath me, carrying me somewhere unknown, while the sound of Valerie’s vehicle disappeared into thin air.

And for the first time since all of this began, fear didn’t whisper.

It screamed. I couldn't do anything but let those tears burn down my cheeks.

I didn't know who was behind this, but one name immediately surfaced in my mind.

Taylor.

Rhys had warned me about Taylor earlier today. Today wasn't the first time he told me to be careful—he'd warned me from the very moment I decided I wanted a divorce.

Let Valerie be okay, dear God.